Václav Havel, playwright, dissident and the first president of the Czech Republic, would have turned 90 on October 5. In this edition of Czechast, former Charter 77 activist Jan Urban remembers first meeting him in the final years of communist rule – and reflects on the qualities that made Havel such an extraordinary figure within the dissident movement.
Nov 4
Battle over Czech public television and radio funding: strikes, protests and political divisions
The Czech government's plans to abolish television and radio licence fees have triggered strikes, demonstrations and a heated debate about the future of public-service broadcasting. Following a controversial parliamentary vote in the early hours of October 24, thousands of people ... Show More
28 m
Oct 29
Democracy is not forever: President Petr Pavel's warning to Czechia
In his October 28 address marking the anniversary of Czechoslovakia's independence, President Petr Pavel delivered a warning about complacency, political courage and the future of Czech democracy. He called for greater responsibility in national security, public finances, climate ... Show More
21m 37s
